Devotions By Jan


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Remembering Sacrifice

Scripture for Today: Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”

Today on Memorial Day, North Americans remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  We commemorate the war dead with special ceremonies, parades, speeches, and graveyard visits.  Some consider the origins of this day as coming from “Decoration Day.”  After the Civil War, graves were decorated with flowers, although this had been the practice of women for centuries.  It is good to remember how costly freedom is and to honor those who paid for it with their lives.

The sacrifice of life for a worthy cause is incredible and I have the utmost respect for these soldiers.  There is another worthy cause for sacrificing life that is even higher and more noble; losing one’s life for the Lord.  Our verse for today is in the context of picking up our own cross in order to follow Christ.  This sacrifice of life is a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).  Sacrificing the right to order and direct one’s life is in fact no sacrifice at all.  Our verse teaches that in doing this we actually find life!

Losing my life for the One I love is the best way to demonstrate that love.  I lose my life each time I choose to obey God’s way rather than my own.  I lose my life every time I put His agenda of good works ahead of my own.  When I desire Christ’s love above and beyond any human love then my life is spent serving Him.  In losing my life to Him, He fills it and makes it meaningful!

Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing Your life for me.  Thank you that through sacrificing myself to You, I find that life!


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The Shadow of His Hand

Scripture for Today:  Isaiah 51:16 “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.'”

On a burning hot day I am looking to walk in the shadow of buildings or trees.  I will go out of my way to avoid direct sunlight and I look for those shadows.  They give relief and make the walk so much more pleasant.

The shadow of a person can evoke a variety of emotions.  When one thinks of a shadow, it can sometimes be in a context of fear!  If the presence is menacing than it follows that the shadow of that presence is as well.  But a shadow can be reassuring and even comforting when it comes from a loving presence.

Our verse for today uses the image of the shadow of God’s hand.  It is a powerful hand that has established the heavens and the earth.  The context of this verse describes how His hand is able to loose chains and set captives free.  Because He covers us with the shadow of His hand, there is no reason to be fearful of man (verse 12).  What can man do?  God’s power and presence gives comfort rather than fear to those who belong to Him.

The shadow of His hand reassures me of His love and protection.  His shadow reminds me that I belong to Him.  I am His and He is mine!  His shadow is evidence that He is at work in my life.  He has set me free!  His care and blessing are shadows of His loving presence!

Thank you, Lord, for helping me sense even the shadow of Your hand!


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Jellyfish Lake

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:10 “All Your works praise you, Lord; Your faithful people extol You.”

“O my God, it’s beautiful!” was the first thing out of the mouth of a meteorologist as she broke the surface of Jelly Fish Lake.  I can understand her reaction as the underwater camera panned the millions of jellyfish who had been her swimming partners.  This lake is found on Eil Malk Island in Palau.  It once had an outlet to the sea but is now closed off.  Over time, these golden jellyfish lost their sting making snorkeling through them possible.  These fascinating creatures are always moving as they follow the sun’s arc across the sky.  Swimming through them must be an eerie and unforgettable experience!

Our verse for today proclaims that all of God’s creation praise their Maker.  Perhaps this is what prompted the reporter to exclaim as she did.  The millions of golden jellyfish extol the greatness and creativity of their Maker by their very presence.  Even at such a remote location, God demonstrates His artistic power in creating something that most of us will never even see.  Even if man does not recognize how they came to be, God’s eternal power and divine nature are revealed through what He has made (Romans 1:20).

All of the beauty and majesty of the Lord’s creation is intentional.  His intention is to reveal Himself to those who would seek Him.  All of His creation is like a huge megaphone announcing to those who would listen, “I am here.  This is for you and I love you.”  Those golden jellyfish following the sun are a reminder to me to continually stay close to the warmth of the Son’s presence and light.

Thank you Lord, for revealing how wonderful You are through Your wonderous works!


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“To the Moon and Back”

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 3:18 (that you) …”may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

I am seeing the quote everywhere as a home decoration; “To the Moon and Back.”  The original quote begins with, “I Love You…”  This quote is found in the children’s book, “Guess How Much I Love You.”  It is a sweet story by British author, Sam McBratney relating a conversation between two hares.  Each exchange uses larger and larger measures to describe their love for each other.  The story ends with this superlative.

Our verse for today describes a love that cannot be quantified!  There is no limit to God’s love.  It is wider than one can ever imagine.  It is deeper than anyone can ever plunge.  The distance to the moon and back is not long or high enough to describe God’s love!  There is no limit because He Himself is Love (I John 4:8).

Paul prays for power to grasp the unmeasurable nature of God’s love.  The Holy Spirit gives that power to grasp something so limitless (verse 16).  It is through His Spirit that we can know a love that surpasses knowledge.  He whispers His love to me.  He quiets me with His love (Zeph. 3:17).  His love is like no other.  He loved me when I was His enemy and estranged from Him.  He loves me in spite of and not because of who I am.  His love is not only unconditional but limitless.  Earthly love often can not hold it together for a simple lifetime.  God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting.  I will be enjoying that love for eternity!

To the moon and back is much too short.  Thank you Lord, for Your immeasurable love for me!


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In God We Trust

pennyunnamedScripture for Today: Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

My neighbor recently held a garage sale and I came away with this bracelet.  Perhaps at her price I was not really out a dollar as there are eleven coins making up the bracelet!  It is surprising that our coins still bear the inscription, “In God We Trust.”  Despite some controversy this motto has been in continuous use since 1909, having been passed by Congress in 1865 at the request of the people.  This affirmation of faith came at a difficult time in American history; during the Civil War.

It seems incongruous to see the idea of trusting God on our coinage.  In fact, it would be more truthful to say that we trust in our own wealth.  Our verse for today talks about trusting in our riches.  It is a natural inclination both then and now.  With riches comes a sense of control and independence.  Trusting in our riches means we are trusting in ourselves with very little need for God.

Riches in themselves are not wrong but are sometimes even a sign of blessing in Scripture.  I do not often feel rich, but in the eyes of many from an impoverished world I am.  Unfortunately, being rich can be a pitfall.  It is easy for me to trust in my own resources rather than the One who provided them.  This verse tells me that if I continually trust in riches, I will eventually fall.  They will not hold me up.  But the Lord promises that I will thrive when I trust in Him.  I do not need riches to thrive, I need Him!

Help me Lord, to practice what is written on that penny.